Disney Cruise Line has just confirmed it will acquire the uncompleted cruise ship Global Dream, to be reimagined by Walt Disney Imagineering and finished as a new ship for the family-friendly brand. The vessel — the eighth in Disney's fleet — will be dedicated to “new global destinations” and will be based outside the U.S. Its anticipated sail date is 2025.
“Our cruise ships give us the unique opportunity to bring Disney magic to fans no matter where they are, and the addition of this ship will make a Disney Cruise Line vacation accessible to more families than ever before,” said Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney parks, experiences and products.
The 208,000-gross-ton ship — originally built for now-defunct Dream Cruises — will measure substantially larger than the line’s next biggest, Disney Wish (which measures 144,000 gross tons). It will also offer a much larger guest capacity of approximately 6,000 guests (plus 2,300 crew members) compared to Wish’s 4,000 passengers.
Our cruise ships give us the unique opportunity to bring Disney magic to fans no matter where they are, and the addition of this ship will make a Disney Cruise Line vacation accessible to more families than ever before.
Only certain existing features will be reimagined, but Disney promises the line’s signature entertainment, dining and guest service. And architecturally, the superstructure will be modified with not just the usual two, but six (three side-by-side pairs), iconic “Mickey” smokestacks and the line’s traditional, black-hulled livery. The ship will be powered by green methanol, considered one of the lowest-emission fuel sources currently available.
Construction will be managed by the same Meyer Werft shipbuilder responsible for building Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy and Disney Wish at the former MV Werften shipyard in Wismar, Germany.
According to Disney, the line was able to buy the ship at a favorable price after Global Dream's previous owner — parent company Genting Hong Kong — filed for bankruptcy. The cost is in line with The Walt Disney Company’s capital expenditure guidance as indicated during a recent earnings call.
More details — such as the new ship’s name, maiden voyage, itineraries and exact onboard features — will be revealed in the future.
